**Time's Ticking for Ukraine: Slovakia Issues Ultimatum Over Russian Oil Pipeline** In a move that has sent shockwaves across Europe, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has given Ukraine a two-day deadline to resume the flow of Russian oil through its territory. The threat of cutting off electricity supplies to Ukraine has left many wondering about the implications of this crisis. At the heart of the dispute is the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian crude oil through Ukraine to Slovakia and Hungary. The pipeline was shut down last month after Ukraine claimed it was hit by a Russian drone strike. Since then, Slovakia and Hungary have been vocal about their demand for the pipeline to be reopened. For Slovakia, the stakes are high. As a major source of European electricity for Ukraine, the country has been providing 18 percent of the record-setting Ukrainian electricity imports last month. The loss of these supplies would have significant consequences for Ukraine's already struggling grid, which has been damaged by Russian attacks. The Slovak leader, Robert Fico, has accused Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of acting "maliciously" towards Slovakia. He claims that Ukraine's earlier halting of Russian gas supplies has cost Slovakia around $589 million per year. This has led to a renewed demand for Slovakia to be involved in the recent 90 billion euros ($105bn) military loan package for Ukraine. Hungary, another country affected by the pipeline shutdown, has also weighed in on the issue. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has threatened to veto the EU loan package unless Ukraine resumes the flow of Russian oil through the pipeline. The fate of the loan, which is aimed at helping Ukraine meet its military and economic needs over the next two years, now hangs in the balance. Ukraine, however, has responded angrily to the ultimatums and blackmail from Slovakia and Hungary. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has slammed the two countries for their actions, saying they are "trying to take advantage" of the situation. As the clock ticks down, one thing is clear: the fate of the pipeline and the EU loan package will have significant implications for Ukraine's future. Will Slovakia and Hungary get their way, or will Ukraine stand firm in the face of pressure from its neighbors? Only time will tell.